The Sunderland striker has been a regular in the Republic of Ireland's recent squads but was overlooked for their World Cup qualifiers at home to Bulgaria tomorrow and away to Italy on Wednesday.

It is a blow for the Black Cats forward just as he was making more in-roads with the first team.

Murphy said: "I know they're not obliged to speak to us when we're not selected, but communication is a big thing and it would have been nice to get a quick call.

"As it was, the first I knew was when the squad was announced in the papers and on the telly.

"It is disappointing. Playing for your country is the biggest honour in football and I've been pretty much third-choice striker for Ireland in the last few squads.

"I don't really see that I've done anything wrong so I don't know why I'm not involved this time.

"I'm not going to sulk about it and I'd go and play for Ireland any time at the drop of a hat. But it would have been good to be told that I wasn't going to be in these squads and why."

Murphy has been involved in Sunderland's last six games but was the unlucky one to make way when he finally got a start at Manchester City last weekend, only to be taken off inside 20 minutes in the reshuffle that followed George McCartney's red card.

"It was one of those things," said the 26-year-old former Waterford forward.

"I'm happy that the gaffer has involved me a bit more in the last few weeks. I've not really had a run in the team this season, which is frustrating in some ways, but I've kept my head down and worked hard."